Written By: Ruth Muhtsun





Presently, America is faced with an obesity epidemic that is now gravely affecting the nation’s youth as well as adults. Cheap, sugary food and drinks are heavily advertised and readily available in schools as well as in offices and stores nationwide. Most researchers and government officials blame over consumption of all the wrong foods, especially high-fructose corn syrup, for the rise in American weight. In response to these assertions, manufactures have started their own crusade in defense of high-fructose corn syrup through means such as public service announcements. But what can the consumer make of all this? Should we follow the zeal of one side do and away with high-fructose syrup, or is there a healthy compromise?

The first question many consumers may ask is what is high-fructose syrup and how does it affect the body? High-fructose corn syrup is a liquid mixture of different sugars comprising mostly of fructose. Before high-fructose syrup, producers used sucrose in many of their products.

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 Both fructose and sucrose are forms of carbohydrates that differ molecularity  and both appear organically in fruits and vegetables. However, manufacturers have found fructose to be much cheaper to produce and sweeter than sucrose. Body cells can either use fructose for metabolism, or is converted into glucose and stored by the liver. Stored fructose like other sugars are converted into fat if not expended.

 Yet, there are major differences in how fructose has an effect on the body compared to other sugars. Leptin, a hormone that controls appetite and fat accumulation is uninfluenced by fructose. Therefore, a person consuming a diet high in fructose can often feel unsatisfied and hungry leading to more sugar intake. Insulin is a chemical that signals cells to absorb glucose and burn as energy. However, fructose does not stimulate production of insulin, leading scientist to believe that fructose is more likely to convert into fat rather than burn as energy like other sugars. Excess fat can lead to diabetes, a disease where the body does not break down glucose and produce cellular energy. Excess fat in the body can also lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. In 2004, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) stated that poor diet and sedentary lifestyles will eventually take over as the leading cause of preventable death, replacing tobacco use.

Fructose has replaced sucrose in recent years as a main ingredient in soft drinks and snack foods, and many analysts are speculating a link between fructose and obesity. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends a daily intake of 12 tablespoons of sugar. Currently, Americans consume more than 30 tablespoons of sugar, mostly fructose, per day. A study in 2003 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that one-third of adults in the US are obese. This is a 27% increase from 1997. The CDC reported in 2000 that 30% of children and teens between 6-15 years old were obese. These researchers also hypothesize that overweight children usually grow up to be overweight adults. The USDA has attributed the rising weight trend to intake of fructose. Data from a 2004 USDA study correlated the inclination of obesity to the time fructose began replacing sucrose in goods. However, the evidence that fructose causes obesity is still up for debate. Opponents of such studies assert that obesity is not affected by the chemical makeup of fructose, but rather the decisions of individuals to consume more and move less.
There is merit in both arguments of the debate regarding consumption of high-fructose corn syrup. On one hand, the availability of high fructose corn syrup products encourage poor diets. Low income households are more prone to purchasing foods rich in high-fructose corn syrup because they are more budget friendly. Furthermore, many parents and public heath workers are reasonably disgusted by brute marketing and advertising tactics of food and soft drink companies in schools and the media. Both poor families and suggestible youth are at risk for disease and even death. On the other hand, fructose is a naturally occurring ingredient and is more cost efficient for consumers. Moreover, sugar is necessary for energy no matter where it is obtained.

For all the debating and campaigning, the truth of the matter is the choice of what and how much to consume is up to the buyer. It is up to an individual whether to drink a cola, tea, or water. There are many ways to lower your sugar intake. One important thing to remember is everything we need is provided by nature. While it may be nice to indulge in an occasional birthday cake or two, relying on naturally sweetened fruits and vegetables for daily nutrition is a better choice. Also, be aware of your carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrates are complex sugars. Items like bread and rice are broken down into simple sugars during digestion. Sugar when not expended by the body will become fat. So the Twinkie is a double threat, but a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a healthier alternative to soothe a sweet tooth. Most importantly, every person must choose to incorporate exercise into their daily lives. Humans have made many industrial advances in agriculture, and thus have been able to supply ourselves with more food than we need. However, our genetics have not caught up to our technology. Our bodies compulsively store excess energy, an old evolutionary method developed to endure famine. Doing small things like using stairs instead of elevators, or taking walks after dinner instead of migrating to the couch can burn the energy we take in through food. So the question isn’t should we renounce high-fructose corn syrup, but should we abandon a lifestyle of indulgence and laziness?
 




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